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OpenMx 2.0: Extended Structural Equation and Statistical Modeling

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Abstract

The new software package OpenMx 2.0 for structural equation and other statistical modeling is introduced and its features are described. OpenMx is evolving in a modular direction and now allows a mix-and-match computational approach that separates model expectations from fit functions and optimizers. Major backend architectural improvements include a move to swappable open-source optimizers such as the newly written CSOLNP. Entire new methodologies such as item factor analysis and state space modeling have been implemented. New model expectation functions including support for the expression of models in LISREL syntax and a simplified multigroup expectation function are available. Ease-of-use improvements include helper functions to standardize model parameters and compute their Jacobian-based standard errors, access to model components through standard R $ mechanisms, and improved tab completion from within the R Graphical User Interface.

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Acknowledgments

The authors gratefully acknowledge funding from the National Institutes of Health, specifically Grants R01-DA022989 (PI Boker), R37-DA018673 and R25-DA026119 (PI Neale). Thanks are also due to a large group of beta-testers, including but not limited to: Mike W.-L. Cheung (2014), Charles Driver, Dorothy Bishop, Greg Carey, Pascal Deboeck, Emilio Ferrer, Christopher Hertzog, Kevin Grimm, Ken Kelley, Matthew Keller, Jean-Philippe Laurenceau, Gitta Lubke, John J. McArdle, Sam McQuillin, Sarah Medland, William Revelle, Michael Scharkow, James Steiger, Melissa Sturge-Apple, and Theodore Walls.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, USA

    Michael C. Neale, Robert M. Kirkpatrick & Hermine H. Maes

  2. Department of Psychology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, USA

    Michael D. Hunter

  3. Department of Psychology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, USA

    Joshua N. Pritikin & Steven M. Boker

  4. Department of Computer Science, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, USA

    Mahsa Zahery

  5. Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Pennsylvania State University, State College, USA

    Timothy R. Brick

  6. Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, USA

    Ryne Estabrook

  7. Department of Psychology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, USA

    Timothy C. Bates

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  1. Michael C. Neale
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  2. Michael D. Hunter
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  4. Mahsa Zahery
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  5. Timothy R. Brick
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  8. Timothy C. Bates
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  9. Hermine H. Maes
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  10. Steven M. Boker
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Correspondence to Michael C. Neale.

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Neale, M.C., Hunter, M.D., Pritikin, J.N. et al. OpenMx 2.0: Extended Structural Equation and Statistical Modeling. Psychometrika 81, 535–549 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11336-014-9435-8

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